The products aren't exact clones but their are quite similar and could be more different. However I suspect the copy meter wasn't designed by SparkFun, they probably bought it from a Chinese vendor who was probably influenced by Fluke (cultrually this is very common in the region). Additionally although it does have the Sparkfun logo I would suspect the plastics are generic, so SparkFun may have had no choice in the colours?

In one company I know the customer wanted a particular configuration of cable, so they gave a sample, it was sent it to a Chinese vendor and they were asked to provide something similar, the sample they sent back was virtually identical down to the logo of the original manufacturer of the customers sample!

in addition to the color, they have the same sticker behind with the mention "Made in China". So, why am i denied to buy the cheaper One so i can cut all the middlemen? Only Fluke and others can buy in China and charge a premium?

I read both Sparkfun's rant and Fluke's response to them. Maybe I'm off-base here, but since Sparkfun uses a lot of red in their packaging and in their products , why not change the yellow case of their DMM to "Sparkfun Red"? Or am I missing something?